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I bought my first 71 Ambassador in 77. It had about 60K miles on it. I realized it needed a freshening up to be more reliable and found a machine shop in Sacramento that used to repair them for the CHP. They put iron liners in the cylinders and recut the ring grooves in the pistons for automotive type rings. I put in excess of 200K on that one in every type of riding condition. I bought another and eventually took the best of both to make one that I rode for a long time with normal maintenance. I was always able to fix any breakdowns and consider them to be very reliable and comfortable. I got rid of all my loop frame bikes and parts around ‘93 .
Thanks for reply.I hope the change to nicasil cylinders is a better choice than the stock chromed ones.
Do some research in the history of this forum.Paul Van Hooff rode his V7 from Prudhoe Bay, AK down to Patagonia and then settled for awhile in Bolivia. Last I heard he was on the same bike touring Russia.Bruce Baille from British Columbia rode his V7 to Bolivia to visit with Paul while he was still there.How far afield do you intend to tour?Patrick HayesFremont CA
If you read through the MGNOC newsletter archives there are many mega mile ride reports using Loops of all flavors. MGNOC has the newsletters on their website going back to 1971 when the newsletter was called The Moto Meatball News! Good stuff in there and easily worth the membership fee on its own.
Well,I put disk brakes and better front forks on mine and rode it everywhere for about 3 years. It was totally bulletproof.Until I did a fast run from Geneva down to Montpellier on a hot summer's afternoon, I'd say I was doing 80-90 all the way. (I had an, ahem, strong incentive....) which is fast on a loop.After that, and I don't know if it is at all related, I started to have nothing but trouble from the old girl.Seriously, 3 years of perfection followed by an absolute nightmare in which time the bike-started intermittently firing on one cylinder, changed coils, plugs, dizzy cap, points, condensor etc chasing it-developed 2 separate leaks from the back of the gearbox -started selecting weirdly-starter motor stopped working-alternator mounting bolts snapped-rear drive pinion gear brokeAnd maybe more stuff I can't remember now!!!Never really known anything like it. 3 years bulletproof and then problem after problemMaybe someone put a hex on it or maybe I just pushed her too hard.That's my experience, still don't know what to make of it!
Sort of supports the old adage: "Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean that you SHOULD do something!" On the other hand if the speed cited above are kph rather than mph, then you weren't really pushing the bike hard even if it was a hot day.
90 to 100 kph all day long and smell the roses and take in the scenery, Ive travelled a mere 60,000 km on my Eldorado with almost no issues and I travel on unpaved roads often but at a more sedate speed than on sealed roads . I have converted my wheels to tubeless to make punctures less of a chore. Ray
The biggest reliability problem with *any* old Guzzi will be the electrics. Completely go through the electrical system cleaning, deoxiting connections, and you'll be good to go. They are bullet proof mechanically.
About tyres and the inner tube, is it better to use the so called heavy duty tubes to prevent a flat tire?
No. Heavy Duty tubes just lead to more heat build-up at sustained high speeds. Not to mention the increased weight and it's effect on unsprung weight. Just use high quality "regular duty" tubes and you'll be fine. I prefer IRC tubes.
Anyone that have used Duro HF308 tyres on their bike?
Back in the day when I was riding Airheads a very savy dealer told me that BMW used natural rubber inner tubes. He said this was because they resisted tearing to prevent rapid air loss in the event of a puncture. I have never heard anything pro or con on this. Can anyone comment on this? If so are natural rubber inner tubes even available in this day and age.kk
I have them on my '69 V700. Excellent traction wet, dry, dirt, or gravel. The rear was worn out at 6k miles, the front will go double that.